 |
|
|
|
|
|
Romance
in Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco
Wedding guest Brooke Shields called it the most romantic place on earth to begin a life together. It was no blue lagoon that prompted the star to make this claim, but instead a small Mexican beach property called Hotelito Desconocido or the "Little Unknown Hotel." One of 20 guests for the November 1999 wedding of actress Lisanne Falk and video game producer Mark Morris, the film star was enchanted with the pristine setting of the ecotourism resort located sixty miles south of Puerto Vallarta. In the fairytale setting tucked between peaks of the Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean, Lisanne and Mark exchanged their vows under a beachfront palapa. The culmination of five months of planning with the hotel staff, following the union of Lisanne and Mark, guests celebrated by releasing baby sea turtles on a stretch of virgin beach. The release of the turtles was far more appropriate than the tossing of rice, thanks to the setting of Hotelito Desconocido. The resort, the brainchild of Italian designer Marcello Murzillo, is tucked in a wetland estuary on one of Mexico's most important sea turtle and bird reserves. Rich with wildlife, the intimate resort blends beautifully with its delicate environment. The small resort relies on solar power and in the evenings is lit by thousands of tiny candles and flaming torches. Lovers can stroll the beach, snorkel off tiny offshore islets, or pamper themselves in sybaritic indulgence at the mini-spa with an herbal sauna or a relaxing reflexology. At this one-of-a-kind resort, couples find romance in the glow of thousands of candles, the quiet murmur of the waves on the pristine shoreline, the intimacy of an outdoor shower behind a bamboo screen. About half an hour south of Hotelito Desconocido stands Las Alamandas, another unique resort with just 12 suites on 1500 acres that invite exploration hand-in-hand. Special events here have ranged from beachside weddings in grand Arabian tents to private dinners for two on a secluded beach with maitre'd, waiter, string trio, and lighting supplied by the moon and the stars. Don't be surprised if those stars aren't the only stellar bodies you see at this property. Since it opened in 1990, the boutique hotel has quietly hosted many well-known names such as Robert De Niro, Frances Ford Coppola, Rod Stewart, Rachel Hunter and Meryl Streep. The resort even served as a honeymoon spot for Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford. Best appreciated by couples looking for peace and quiet, Las Alamandas, named for the beautiful yellow flower that forms a backdrop to the elegant resort, is quietly understated with an elegant hacienda style. From its cool tile floors to its shuttered windows designed to keep out the day's heat to the rhythmic whirl of ceiling fans, the mood is refined and yet relaxed. PUERTO VALLARTA
The setting itself sets the scene for romance. Puerto Vallarta is tucked around the picturesque Bahía de Banderas or Bay of Flags; sand the color of toasted coconut is lined with high rise hotels where couples can be tempted by a full menu of activities or relax under the shade of a tall palm and do nothing at all. One such property is CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta. With the Bay of Banderas as a backdrop, couples escape to a world of romance. Lucky lovers who choose the Imperial Suite have a commanding view of the bay that can be enjoyed with a frothy margarita in hand from the comfort of their own balcony whirlpool. Active couples can buzz around the bay on a waverunnner, gallop down the beach on horseback, or enjoy the best view of the city with a leisurely sail. Another favorite is Club Viva Vallarta, a romantic resort surrounded by 15 acres of fragrant gardens. You and yours can enjoy the relaxation of an all-inclusive experience in everything from international restaurants to an exciting disco. And there's no better way to work out the kinks after your flight to Mexico than a massage at the resort's spa. Year around warm weather makes possible the hedonistic delights for which these Mexican beach resorts are known. Whether the two of you want to slip out of bed for a midnight beach stroll or jog side by side on a sandy beach as the first rays of light illuminate the sky, you'll find that temperatures are just right. Even during the winter months, the only goosebumps you'll experience are ones your lover delightfully produces. Mornings are perfect for a jaunt into town, with its cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings topped by red-tiled roofs. Stroll hand-in-hand along the Malecón or seaside promenade, stopping for a little shopping along the way. Puerto Vallarta also means plenty of chances for eco-adventure fun. The two of you can pair up as dive partners at 22 scuba sites in these crystal waters. Choose from reef dives, with coral mounts dotted with colorful sea flora and fauna, and wreck dives to explore the remnants of old pirate ships still preserved in these warm waters. Whalewatching excursions are tops on many couples' lists from mid-November through mid-March or visit isolated offshore islands or remote jungle enclaves as well. And if the two of you don't yet scuba but would like to learn a new sport together, now's the chance. Many hotels offer resort courses; after a lesson and some practice in the pool you and your mate can share your virgin dive offshore that afternoon. Or act out your Jacques Cousteau fantasies with a snorkel trip. With just a few minutes of quick instruction, you're ready to take a peek at the marine world just offshore. One of the best places for a dive or a snorkel trip is Los Arcos. Here fantastic arched rock formations, like a natural wedding bough, offer the perfect place for the two of you to snorkel hand in hand and view tropical fish as colorful as candystore gumdrops. An 82-foot-tall tunnel winds through the stone arches, a perfect place to share an aquatic kiss. For other lovers, there's nothing more enjoyable than a day spent lying along a stretch of toasty sand, listening to the gentle murmur of the waves. Several luscious beaches line Puerto Vallarta's coast. Golden Beach is known for its clear waters and, at half a mile long, offer chances for horseback riding and even surfing in its clear waters. Las Estacas Beach is considered one of the best in Puerto Vallarta because of its fine sand; claim a patch of it as yours and dig your toes in its toasty warmth for an afternoon of sunbathing a deux. And don't miss Mismaloya Beach, the site where "The Night of the Iguana" was filmed. After a day in the sun, it's time to really sizzle with a little nightlife. The pace can be mild to wild--whatever the two of you choose. One place where the nightlife
is as hot as the daytime sun is the Christine Club, considered one of
the world's most sophisticated discos. With a state-of-the-art technological
system and laser show, the pulsating club packs in crowd of visitors and
locals alike right in the heart of the hotel zone. With its semi-formal
dress code, it's the perfect place to show off that sunkissed skin with
a backless cocktail dress.
Like a jeweled necklace, the city traces the edge of Acapulco Bay. It's glitzy, it's glamorous, it's Hollywood with an olé spirit. This beautiful port city, filled with the vacation homes of some of the silver screen's biggest names, is a favorite haunt of the rich and famous. But it's not just the jet-setters who get to enjoy Acapulco's magnificent beaches and spirited nightlife. Hotels line the bay and offer couples views of the bay, proximity to shops and the promise of round-the-clock fun. Many of the hotels are also perched high on Acapulco's hills as well. A favorite with honeymooners is Las Brisas. These pink and white casitas offer lovers quiet solitude and many rooms come complete with their own private pools, shaded by brilliant bougainvillea. Further south, the Fairmont Acapulco Princess is a miniature city perched on Acapulco's southern shore. Tucked behind a veritable forest of palm trees, this luxurious hideaway is the kind of place that vacationers enter and never leave until their departure hour. And for those looking for a peaceful getaway, there's no reason to leave. Golf, tennis, watersports, tropical flowers, gourmet dining...you name it, the two of you will find it at this regal hideaway. With 750 varieties of plant life, the grounds of the Fairmont Acapulco Princess first catch the eye of any visitor. The 480-acre resort resembles a botanical garden, dotted with swans, peacocks, and flamingos. But then the architecture of the resort catches the eye: this is not the usual high-rise hotel but a veritable Aztec temple tucked in a jungle of tropical growth where waterfalls spill out into freeform pools and laughter of guests is echoed in the call of an exotic bird. Whether on the hills or on the coast, these and other elegant getaways survey the beauty of Acapulco and all it has to offer couples, whatever their interests. For some lovers, an Acapulco marriage and honeymoon means a patch of warm toasty sand, a gentle lapping surf, and days spend luxuriating in each other's company beneath a tall palm tree. For other couples, the classic Mexican resort community might bring to mind days scuba diving in waters filled with colorful fish, or dancing the evening away in exotic discos or under the starlight. Days here can be as busy or as blissfully idle as you choose. Shop in internationally-recognized boutiques for designer clothing or at charming mercados for locally-made crafts and artwork. Don a mask and snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Charter a boat out to "La Quebrada" to watch daredevil cliff divers make their death-defying leaps. Or just sip a margarita as you float in a vanishing edge pool and watch the sun set over the bay and the lights come out to greet another pulsating Acapulco night. It's in these night hours that Acapulco really shines. Pack your glittery outfits for this getaway where the Hollywood set goes to party. Who knows? You might spot the likes of Sylvester Stallone, who owns property here. At the very least, you'll find plenty of photos of the glitterati on the walls of Acapulco's discos like the pulsating Baby-O's or the picturesque Palladium with huge windows overlooking the lights of the moonlit city. Whether you and yours select a wedding day that ends with a celebratory dance in a laser-lit disco or, like Lisanne Falk and Mark Morris, a glow of a thousand candles, the warmth of Mexico's classic romantic destinations is the perfect way to begin your new life together. WHEN YOU MARRY THERE Most Mexican resorts can handle all your wedding arrangements, from paperwork to details like flowers and photography. In Mexico, only civil wedding ceremonies are legal; these are officiated by a Justice of the Peace. For the ceremony, you will both need certified copies of your birth certificates that have been previously legalized by the Consulate of Mexico with jurisdiction over the country of birth. Couples also must bring identification cards or passports and tourist cards. A blood test within 15 days of your scheduled ceremony date is also required; you can both bring the health certificate from the test with you. If either of you have previously been married, you must prove that it has been one year since the official dissolution of your last marriage or since the death of your previous spouse. This will require certified copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate. The couple must also have two witnesses over age 18; witnesses must be over age 18 and need to bring ID as well as copies of the ID. It is also recommended that couples bring two copies of all their documentation. Also, plan to be in the country five days before your ceremony to take care of translation of documents. Be sure to check with your hotel's wedding coordinator before your wedding as regulations are subject to change. Hotelito Desconocido offers a complete wedding package. The cost includes 24 rooms (accommodating 48 persons) for a three-day/two night stay, roundtrip airport transfers, plus all meals and activities. The package includes a special banquet for the night of the wedding, with one hour of open bar (national drinks), and three hours of live music. If you'd like, the hotel can transform your wedding night banquet into a Mexican Fiesta, or a beachfront Fisherman's Feast. The hotel takes care of all legal work including the judge's fees, and helps you through the requirements. Hotelito also offers an Indigenous Wedding Ceremony, a Mexican pre-Hispanic spiritual ceremony complete with Shaman and indigenous dancers. Las Alamandas offers a honeymoon package that includes cocktails, in-room flowers, and candlelight champagne dinner for two served on your own terrace, in a beachside pagoda or at an exquisitely set table under the stars on an isolated beach with your own maitre'd and string trio. The package also includes a romantic boatride with views of wildlife along the Rio San Nicolas which runs through the property. Weddings are arranged on an a la carte basis, with add-ons that range from hot air balloon ceremonies to tents on the beach. At CasaMagna Mariott Puerto Vallarta, couples can choose to exchange their vows at the water's edge, with the sound of the surf in the background. After you seal your vows with a kiss, a mariachi group can play your favorite romantic song. Weddings are done on an a la carte basis . Club Viva Vallarta offers a special wedding package as an add-on to an all-inclusive stay. The package includes the assistance of an on-property wedding coordinator, civil judge fee, legal expenses, bridal bouquet, wedding cake, private bar for 10 people, 10 color photos, music and more. Las Brisas offers a "Romantically Las Brisas" package which includes three-night private pool casita accommodations, daily breakfast, Jeep rental (including gas, insurance and unlimited mileage), dinner at the resort's Bellavista restaurant, two days of motorized water sports rentals, special in-room amenities, welcome drink upon arrival, fresh flowers in the guest room and private pool, complimentary use of the hotel's tennis facilities and membership to the hotel's beach club "La Concha." The Fairmont Acapulco Princess offers a Royal Romance package which inlcudes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, a cake to celebrate the special occasion, and more. For More Information:
|
|
|
||||||||||
Lovetripper.com Romantic Travel Guide
For
those looking for a destination that offers everything from fiesta to
siesta, it's 
Ready
for a party? Then set your sights on Acapulco, a Pacific city called the
"birthplace of Mexican tourism." This classic resort community
combines the thrill of the sea with the backdrop of the mountains, all
combined with the history of a restored downtown area and a cultural tradition
that lives on through food, music, and song.
